LBCV December Nature Conservation Task

The next conservation task will be on Sunday 1 December 2019 when we will be coppicing in Horseshoe Thicket. Previously this task had been listed as pollarding, but now we are going all the way to the ground!

The coppicing task on this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), pronounced "triple S I", is being done as part of the Higher Level Stewardship agreement with Natural England. This is a copping cycle that was started in 1998/99 by LBCV.

Our work over the years has left this unit, of a SSSI ,in "Favourable" Condition creating a "varied structure and good regeneration from coppice areas. " as reported by Nature England.

Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management which takes advantage of the fact that many trees reshoot from the stump or roots if cut down. In a coppiced woodland young trees stems are repeatedly cut down to near ground level. In subsequent growth years, many new shoots will emerge and after a number of years the coppiced tree, or stool, is ready to be harvested, and the cycle begins again. We can count the rings to see when the trees were last coppiced.

The felled trunks will be used to form dead wood habitat piles and the brash will be chipped by the rangers to help maintain the paths through the thicket.

There will also be a chance to litter pick, if anybody wants to do that. The cattle will also be present when we are working on North Walthamstow Marsh.

Woodland management techniques to be used on the task are coppicing, snedding, brashing and 4 cut tree felling. Tools to be used bowsaws loppers and billhooks.

No experience is needed. Bring your own packed lunch. Volunteers should wear sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing for the task and weather. The task involves working in long thick spikey vegetation and manhandling tree trunks. We can provide wellingtons in the morning. So please arrive in plenty of time to select your pair.

Volunteers are welcome to meet us on site, be at the picnic benches at 10:30, but please text 07757 766950 or email info@, before 9am on Sunday, so we can provide enough tools and gloves.

Join LBCV

Everybody is welcome to volunteer with LBCV. No experience is required. LBCV will provide tools, training, gloves, tea, coffee and biscuits. Please bring some lunch. Under 18 year olds must be accompanied by a parent or guardian,

Please wear sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing for the work and weather. The task involves working in long thick spikey vegetation and manhandling tree trunks. We can provide wellingtons in the morning. So please arrive in plenty of time to select your pair.

Please arrive from 9:30am - 10am at the Waterworks Centre Lammas Road, off Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10 7QT, for a 10am departure to the tools storage area. The meeting place is the former golf centre across from the former Greyhound Public House on Lea Bridge Road. Look for a person in a black LBCV t-shirt. We will leave the tools container at 10:15am for a walk to the task site.

Please lock bicycles to the stands in front of the Waterworks Centre. There is ample free car parking there too. Dogs are not allowed on the Waterworks Nature Reserve so please do not cross the bridge with dogs or ride bicycles in the nature reserve. Dogs are welcome on some tasks, including this one.

We should be finished by 4:30pm.

Future LBCV Tasks - Complete Programme 2019-2020

All conservation tasks are the first Sunday of each month, 9:30am - 4pm.

Farewell

Doing a conservation task with LBCV is great way to meet new people, learn new skills, use old skills, be more active, get closer to nature, make a difference and have some fun with like-minded people.